Press Release 15/07/20
" We pride ourselves in our ability to work cohesively to bring about much needed positive change that will strengthen racial equality in Wales.
Race Council Cymru is a well-established, networked umbrella race equality charity in Wales with a membership of over 300 partner organisations, and its Black History Wales Network (made up of 125 organisations) will work closely with BLM Wales to support its development and ensure that demands are met in a timely fashion.
As it stands, there is an unmet need for a collective body of BLM activists across Wales that aim to redress the inequality faced by many in Wales. BLM Wales, aims to meet this need by taking an organised approach to ensure the increased pace of demands for changes required to establish strong racial equity and fairness in Wales.
The situation concerning race relations in Wales is rather dire and there are many indications of the severity of the issue, such as:
● Black people are six-and-a-half times more likely to be stopped and searched, by police in Wales, than white people and are four-and-a-half times more likely to be arrested.
● Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic identifying people have higher rates of unemployment than white people
● There are higher poverty rates in families where the head of the household is not white
● There are no Black Headteachers in Wales and only 1.2% of the teaching force identifies as Black
● Thousands of people have protested, demonstrating the commitment and support for change with regards to race equality, equity and an end to racism. BLM Wales, aims to work closely with the Welsh Government to improve lives, experiences and opportunities for Black people in Wales. Wales could be at the heart of driving change throughout the UK. Wales should be at the heart of driving such change throughout the UK.
We at BLM Wales, believe that the heart of Wales, is in full support for this movement. So, we will present our manifesto for change to the Welsh Government and will be working with local organisations within each region to support the long overdue course of progress that must take place. BlackLivesMatterWales
To drive forward the work of BLM Wales collective, we have invited Cindy Ikie a dynamic and brilliant black activist based in Cardiff to serve as our lead National Campaign Manager. Cindy will officially start her work for BLM Wales on the 24th of July 2020 as a volunteer; however, we are actively seeking funds to make this job a paid role. Check out our twitter handle @BLMCymru to donate to our National Campaign Managers salary and support BLM Wales regional leads in their work."
Regional Representatives
BLM Abergavenny – Amy Stratton/ Izzy Holland
BLM Swansea – Richard Nomba / Sibusisiwe Mbwembwe / Otis Bolemu / Jill Duarte / Patience Bentu
BLM Swansea Protest Organisers – Kavita Purohit / Rozz Mbwembwe
BLM Port Talbot – Sean Suter / Lara Griffiths
BLM Cardiff – Ali Abdi (National BAME Youth Forum Wales) / Cindy Ikie BLM Bridgend – Chloe Rees / Anna Arietta
BLM Cynon Valley – Martha Thickett / Carol Adams
BLM Merthyr Tydfil/ RCT – Molly Palmer / Chloe Cooper
BLM Caerphilly – Kelly Brightman (Images Storytelling Project)
BLM Wrexham – Iolanda Banu Viegas / Omonigho Idegun / Francis Ndubuoke
BLM Bangor – Dr Salamatu Fada/ Omolemo Thamae / Dr Samuel Njoku
BLM Caernarfon – Suchitta Chaplin / Josephine Davies
Black History Wales Champion – Rachel Clarke
Black History Representative – Fadhili Maghiya Director SSAP
BLM Wales National Campaign Manager – Cindy Ikie
